Des Moines County approves five-year secondary roads construction program after engineer's presentation

Des Moines County supervisors approved the county's five‑year secondary roads construction program and accompanying DOT budget form following a detailed presentation by county staff and a public hearing on April 15.

The program lays out local and grant-funded projects through 2030, highlighting a possible 1.2‑mile Portland cement concrete (PCC) paving of Pleasant Grove Road from Highway 61 to Iowa City Road, a Beaverdale Road bridge replacement project submitted for federal grant funding, and multiple smaller projects such as culvert liners, crack sealing and intersection lighting. Brian (staff member) led the presentation and repeatedly cautioned that several first‑year projects are contingent on year‑end carryover and grant awards.

Why it matters: the plan prioritizes repairs and replacements of roads and bridges used by local traffic, school buses and agricultural operations and sets a multi‑year timetable that supervisors will use to decide which projects to fund and bid as revenues and carryover become clearer.

County staff emphasized budgeting constraints and procurement timing. Brian (staff member) said, “I just don't know yet whether we will have this money on hand to be able to do this project or not,” describing Pleasant Grove Road as a project the county would pursue only if carryover and local revenues permit. He also explained the county's procurement constraint: “we can't bid and we can't bid something for this year hoping the money is there next year,” noting the county's fiscal year runs July 1–June 30 and that projects bid in a given year must be funded from that year's budget.

Project details presented - Pleasant Grove Road: presented as a priority segment roughly 1.2 miles long between Highway 61 and Iowa City Road. The presentation said the segment will require removal of old concrete, placement of new PCC and rock base underlay; some culverts will need replacement. Staff said the county has met with landowners and is pursuing right‑of‑way but has not yet committed to bidding because of funding uncertainty. - Beaverdale Road bridge: staff described a federal grant application that, if awarded, could fund up to 80% of a bridge replacement estimated roughly at $1.2 million (engineering estimate not final). Staff said the county hopes its Farm to Market funding could cover the local share (20%) but that the Farm to Market account is currently strained by other asphalt projects. - Other items: crack sealing on several roads, intersection lighting on the 4‑lane and other paved intersections (approximate per‑site cost noted at about $12,000–$15,000 in the presentation), culvert liners as a lower‑cost repair option (example given of a single culvert bottom replacement estimated at roughly $10,000), and localized creek stabilization needs.

Funding and scheduling: Brian explained that some first‑year entries show multiple projects because the department will shuffle projects depending on whether a large project proceeds. He said a large project in year one (the Pleasant Grove segment) could free or consume significant funds; grants and local option sales tax receipts and year‑end carryover will determine final decisions. The presentation emphasized that federal aid projects bring additional administrative costs and wage‑rate rules that can raise total project costs.

Public hearing and board action: the board opened a public hearing, accepted two minutes for callers or emailed comments, then closed the hearing and voted to adopt the five‑year program and the DOT-required budget form. The motion to approve passed unanimously with Supervisor Tom Broger, Supervisor Shane McCampbell and Supervisor Jim Carrey voting yes.

Next steps: staff said design work and right‑of‑way negotiations will continue where useful and that the board will revisit funding decisions after the county's fiscal year closes and carryover is known.